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G4 (American TV network)

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G4
CountryUnited States
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California
Programming
Language(s)English
Ownership
OwnerG4 Media (NBCUniversal)

G4 (also known as G4 TV) is an American digital cable and satellite television channel that is owned by G4 Media, a unit of the NBCUniversal Cable division of NBCUniversal. The channel is geared primarily toward young male adult viewers and originally focused on the world of video games, before transitioning to a more general entertainment format. G4 is currently headquartered in Los Angeles.

In late 2012, G4's studio programming was ceased in preparation for its re-launch as the Esquire Network on September 23, 2013, as part of a licensing deal with Hearst Corporation, owner of Esquire magazine. However, on September 9, 2013, news broke that NBCUniversal will instead replace Style with Esquire Network, leaving G4 "as is for the foreseeable future, though it's highly unlikely the company will invest in more original programming".[1] As of August 2013, approximately 61,217,000 American households (53.61% of households with television) were receiving G4.[2]

History

Under Charles Hirschhorn

The channel was launched on April 24, 2002 under the ownership of Comcast.[3] The initial concept was to create a service similar to TechTV but "geared more toward MTV's demographics" (young adults). The channel was launched with the following shows:

  • Arena: a multi-player game competition between two teams of four players.
  • Filter: a top-ten countdown voted by viewers.
  • Blister: focused on action/adventure game news.
  • Cinematech: described as a showcase for the best high-end digital art.
  • Game On: two hosts competed in video game action come to life with dire consequences for the loser.
  • Sweat: focused on sports game news.
  • Cheat!: tips and cheat codes on video games.
  • Portal: focused on multiplayer online games.
  • Pulse: news on the video-game industry.
  • Judgment Day: currently known as Reviews on the Run, "two video-game gurus will opine on the latest entries."
  • G4tv.com: an interactive talk show on video games.
File:G4 Old logo.png
The first G4 logo, used from 2002 to 2005

G4 was created and originally led by Charles Hirschhorn, a former president of Walt Disney Television and Television Animation.[4] He expected video game creators themselves to eventually produce programming for the channel. He envisioned that G4 could follow in the footsteps of MTV, which in his opinion provided music video producers with a venue for non-traditional television programming.[5] Hirschhorn intended G4 to become a vehicle for unconventional advertising. In 2002, G4 offered advertisers wide latitude to place their products on G4's programs, and even allowing their commercials to appear as if they were a part of the program.[6] G4 also offered what was called a "2 minute unit", which was an advertising package played as if it were part of a G4 program that was long enough to run an entire movie trailer. G4 also offered to sell the right to have a game showcased on the show Pulse.[6] The G4 name originally stood for four generations of video games.[citation needed]

G4techTV

Main article: G4techTV

On March 25, 2004, Vulcan Inc. announced that G4 Media would acquire TechTV and merge it with G4.[7] The combined channel was branded G4techTV. Days before the announced sale, Comcast made plans to close the original TechTV production facilities in San Francisco and offered new headquarters in Los Angeles with openings for 80 to 100 TechTV employees available if they were willing to relocate. Hirschhorn headed the combined entity.

Logo used from May 2005 to March 2007. This logo is still used by G4 in Canada

On February 15, 2005, less than a year after the merger, "TechTV" was officially dropped from the channel's name in the U.S. and the channel became known again as G4.[8] However, the channel's Canadian version retained the "G4techTV" name until mid-2009, when it was renamed G4.

Under Neal Tiles

In September 2005, Neal Tiles replaced Hirschhorn as the channel's president.[9] Tiles had previously been a senior marketing executive at DirecTV, Fox Sports and ESPN.[10] He announced that G4 would be retooled as a male-oriented channel, stating that "guys like to play games, but not necessarily watch a bunch of shows with games on the screen".[11]

Comcast announced on October 12, 2006, that it would consolidate its west coast entertainment operations, including G4, E! and Style into a new group headed by Ted Harbert, who had formerly run E!. It was announced that the upper management of the G4 channel would relocate to E!'s Los Angeles office.[12] Harbert gave his opinion at the time that the focus of the channel on "gaming has been demonstrated as being too narrow." He also gave assurances that while G4 might change, it would not become extinct.[13][14]

On March 4, 2007, it was announced that the G4 Studios in Santa Monica, California, would close on April 15. Production of G4 programs was relocated to the Comcast Entertainment Group facility, which housed E! and Style Network, in the Wilshire Courtyard complex in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles (G4's original facility remains in use as an E! studio and office facility and was utilized by Chelsea Lately and After Lately until their October 2012 move to Universal Studios Hollywood). As a consequence, many G4 employees involved in production were terminated. The sets of G4's original programs were also redesigned to fit within the new smaller spaces allocated to them.

In April 2007, G4, in association with Earth911,[15] launched an electronic-waste-recycling campaign called Gcycle.[16] After Comcast acquired NBCUniversal in 2011 (effectively integrating G4 and the other Comcast Entertainment Group channels into NBCUniversal), Gcycle became part of the company's "Green is Universal" initiative.

In June 2008, G4 launched G4 Rewind, a block that showed older episodes of X-Play, Judgment Day, Cheat, G4tv.com, Arena, Portal, G4's Training Camp and GameMakers. G4 Rewind left the schedule at the end of that summer and returned for daytime reruns for older episodes of X-Play in June 2009 until January 2010.

On February 17, 2009, it was reported that G4 intended to cut back its original programming. X-Play would be reduced to three nights a week while Attack of the Show! would be cut to four nights a week. Consequently, a number of the staff and production crew involved in the shows would be laid off. Layla Kayleigh also left G4 in April 2009 after Neal Tiles announced that her contract would not be renewed.[17][18]

In May 2009, G4's website was completely redesigned with a more prominent role of gaming as the intended purpose.[19] Since the redesign of the website, G4's blog, TheFeed, had been overhauled as well.[20] On July 31, a new web video game discussion series, TheFeed: Nightcap debuted.[21] On August 28, 2009 TheFeed Nightcap was renamed Feedback.[22]

It was announced during Comic-Con 2010 that G4 would be the exclusive broadcaster of Marvel Anime, which aried in 2011.[23] During the week of July 26-August 1, 2010, G4 changed its logo to 4G as a promotion for Sprint Nextel's next generation wireless internet service.[24]

G4 logo without digital backdrop. Used for almost a year until May 20, 2012. Still in use on G4's website.

Loss of DirecTV carriage

On November 1, 2010, DirecTV announced that it had removed G4 from its channel lineup,[25] citing low interest in their subscriber base and Nielsen ratings as the primary reason for dropping of the channel.[26][27] DirecTV commented that it was "...unable to reach an agreement to continue carrying the G4 channel and it has been removed from the DirecTV channel lineup."[28] On October 30, 2010, Attack of the Show! host Kevin Pereira echoed Comcast's sentiments about the decision, stating that "G4 has offered DirectTV [sic] the same basic deal they have had for the last three years, but DirecTV has rejected this claiming that they do not see the value in G4." The removal of G4 from DirecTV would begin a long, slow decline for the network.

Proposed Buyouts by UFC and WWE

It was reported that the UFC and WWE were in separate talks to buy G4 in 2011.[29][30] Talks with both companies apparently fell through, and UFC eventually partnered with Fox, while WWE launched its own network on February 24, 2014.

Under Adam Stotsky

On January 5, 2012, Neal Tiles stepped down as CEO.[31] He was replaced by former NBC marketing chief Adam Stotsky.[32] Long-time employees Adam Sessler and Kevin Pereira left the network during the first half of 2012 (Sessler now works at Revision 3 Games, while Kevin Pereira now hosts the syndicated Scripps game show Let's Ask America). On May 20, 2012, G4 was given a graphical overhaul, still utilizing the current G4 logo, except the bug has moved to the bottom right corner instead of the top, and made translucent. The logo was also rendered in 3D for on-air promotions. This overhaul also discontinued "The Feed" ticker, and the "G-Spot" shorts shown during commercial breaks. The network's syndication agreement for Cheaters ended in December 2012.

On October 26, 2012, it was announced that X-Play and Attack of the Show! would be discontinued by the end of the year.[33] This would end all of G4's studio programming, leaving it only airing acquired and syndicated programming. Reports of G4 rebranding itself in 2013 into an upscale men's channel appeared previous to the recent programming changes. X-Play and Attack of the Show! aired their final original episodes (taped a month earlier) on January 23, 2013.

Aborted rebrand as Esquire Network

In December 2012, NBCUniversal signed a brand licensing deal with the Hearst Corporation, owner of Esquire magazine, to relaunch G4 into Esquire Network, which will air shows aimed at a metrosexual audience about travel, cooking, fashion and non-sports related male programming, including the addition of acquired and archive NBCU content such as Party Down, Parks and Recreation, and week-delayed episodes of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.[34][35][36] The rebranding was scheduled to take place on April 22, 2013,[35] but was moved to an unspecified date in the summer on April 15, 2013, as network general manager Adam Stotsky stated the rebranding was pushed back in order to have a broader original series slate to launch with than would have been available for the April launch. Stotsky also confirmed that a new season of American Ninja Warrior would air on the network in the summer.[36] All promotional advertising for G4, outside of spare "up next" promos for the network's daily schedule, were discontinued weeks before the aborted April launch, though limited advertising with the G4 logo within the Esquire Network's graphics scheme was produced for the new season of American Ninja Warrior, which proceeded with its premiere in June as scheduled, though with sideboard advertising along the show's obstacle course having Esquire Network branding as most of the competition was recorded before the change in rebranding. The show also had more repeats on NBC during that summer to maintain ratings momentum. In May 2013, the launch date was pushed to September 23, 2013, with its first program being an 80th anniversary special for Esquire.[37]

On September 9, 2013, news broke that NBCUniversal will instead replace Style with Esquire Network, leaving G4 "as is for the foreseeable future, though it's highly unlikely the company will invest in more original programming".[1]

Slow decline and carriage removals

Upon the re-branding of Style Network to Esquire Network on September 23, 2013, G4 was dropped from several cable providers. Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks (Bright House carriage contracts are negotiated by Time Warner Cable) were the first to drop G4, citing the network's low viewership as "(not a) good value for our customers".[38] Verizon FiOS also discontinued the channel on October 1, 2013, and Cablevision did so on October 10, 2013, pursuant to a filing with the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (that state's utility service regulator) a month prior, that NBCUniversal had plans to discontinue G4's operations as of October 10, 2013.[39]

Late in October 2013, Charter Communications, which was one of the charter carriers of TechTV when it was a sister of that network under the ownership of Vulcan Ventures, announced its intention to drop G4 on December 17; sister network Cloo replaced G4 on its systems.[40] On November 1, 2013, Dish Network, which is a part owner of the network through its joint venture G4 Media with Comcast/NBCU, announced that it had removed G4 from its lineup,[41] leaving satellite providers without said network as DirecTV already dropped it in November 2010. Cox ceased carriage of G4 in all markets at the end of 2013.[42]

NBCUniversal's parent company, Comcast, began to remove G4 on its Comcast/Xfinity systems began on January 6, 2014.[43] Comcast, however, has not stated outright that the network will cease operations entirely at that time.[44] G4 continues to be carried on other cable systems nationwide despite being largely absent from the top 10 media markets (Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, or Comcast, or some combination thereof, is the dominant cable operator in all of the top 10 Nielsen DMAs). G4 still appears on NBCU's corporate website, but its presence on NBCU's "Media Village" press site has disappeared completely.[45] Providers that have not already dropped G4 are expected to continue to provide the network until their carriage contracts are fully exhausted.[46]

G4 HD

G4 HD is a high definition simulcast feed of G4 that broadcasts in the 1080i resolution format, it launched on December 8, 2008, alongside the entire suite of Comcast Entertainment Group networks at the time. It is carried on AT&T U-verse[47] and in select areas by smaller providers.

Canada

Main article: G4 (Canada)

A Canadian channel called G4 Canada was launched in 2001 as TechTV by Rogers Media (33.34%), Shaw Communications (33.33%) and TechTV U.S. (33.33%). It uses the "G4" trademark under license from NBCUniversal, and initially both channels shared a focus on technology and video game-related programming. However, both channels, since the rebranding as G4, deviated considerably from their original roots, although there remained until 2012 a connection between the two channels with many of G4's later programs, including newer series such as That's Tough (which no longer airs as of April 2012), Bomb Patrol Afghanistan, Web Soup, Campus PD and Proving Ground airing on G4 Canada. G4 Canada also airs older (and often, out-of-date) tech content such as The Lab with Leo Laporte to meet their channel content requirements under CRTC guidelines in off-peak periods. Some of their programming blocks in the past paralleled each other, such as the Anime Unleashed block paralleling G4 Canada's Anime Current block, and the Midnight Spank block paralleling the ADd block.

The network has a CRTC remit requires it to maintain tech content. On occasion, it had to roll back some of G4TV's male-targeted programming due to CRTC concerns.

Over time, the network has migrated to featuring new content such as EP Daily and Reviews on the Run along with syndicated programming.

Website

In addition with the network itself, G4 has maintained a website, which includes video game trailers and reviews, select video clips of its original shows, as well as original web programming. There's also "The Feed", a blog which originally shows news on the latest technology and upcoming games.

The network's website has remained somewhat active but many features have gradually shut down. The forums ceased operation on March 18, 2013. The site has generally not been updated for months outside of automated programming guide listings and advertising previews for films and games that have long since been released.[48] It wasn't until February 18, 2014 when the online staff updated the links on its home page and introduced its new free-to-play video game hub known as "G4Now", which seems to interline with sister network Syfy's gaming service SyfyGames.com. A user must register to play such video games.[49]

G4TV's blog, "The Feed", continued providing entertainment related news articles until May 31, 2013.[50] On June 3, 2013, articles began appearing on "The Feed" promoting various shows on Esquire TV. The most recent and presumably last article in the series appeared on August 9, 2013 promoted the show Knife Fight with information retrieved from a random RSS feed involving a sandwich recipe.[51] However, blog entries for "The Feed" returned on March 8, 2014 with an article promoting its sister network Syfy's show Robot Combat League.[52]

Programming

Main article: List of programs broadcast by G4

Currently the network's programming schedule consists of the action and drama series Heroes and Lost, along with past G4 programming such as Web Soup, Campus PD and various Marvel anime shows. The network now also broadcasts some of their older shows which have gone unseen for years such as Human Wrecking Balls, That's Tough and Proving Ground. Episodes of COPS also continue to be shown, but airings now consist of one episode every Monday through Friday. Episodes of X-Play from the last part of 2012 also continue to air despite the content being out of date and featuring promotions such as a "Dew XP" for Halo 4 involving Mountain Dew which ended long ago.

Hosts (2002–2013)

Network slogans

  • TV 4 Gamers (2002–2004)
  • Stay Connected (2004–2005)
  • Video Game TV (2005–2006)
  • TV That's Plugged In (2007–2012, primary)
  • Stay Plugged In (2007-2012, secondary—used before commercial breaks and before program ends)

References

  1. ^ a b Rose, Lacey (September 9, 2013). "NBCU Switch-Up: Esquire Network to Take Over Style, Not G4 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  2. ^ Seidman, Robert (August 23, 2013). "List of How Many Homes Each Cable Networks Is In - Cable Network Coverage Estimates As Of August 2013". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  3. ^ Sieberg, Daniel (April 24, 2002). "24-Hour Video Game Channel Set to Launch". CNN. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  4. ^ Charles Hirschhorn, Forbes.com
  5. ^ Pressing Buttons 10.17.06: The Rise and Fall of G4 (PART 1), 411mania.com October 17, 2006
  6. ^ a b Williamson, Debra (June 10, 2002). "G4 widens playing field for advertisers". Ad Age. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  7. ^ Comcast buys TechTV, San Francisco Chronicle March 26, 2004.
  8. ^ G4 Drops TechTV Handle, Broadcasting & Cable 1/10/2005.
  9. ^ "G4 - About - Management - Neal Tiles - President". G4TV. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  10. ^ "Neal Tiles bio". G4TV. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  11. ^ Martin, Denise (May 8, 2006). "Cablers Make Play for Gamer Demos — G4 Evolving into a Lifestyle Channel, Peppered with Vidgame Culture". Variety. Retrieved October 18, 2009.
  12. ^ "Comcast Broadens Harbert's Role". Broadcasting & Cable. October 12, 2006. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  13. ^ "E! pwns G4". Boing Boing. October 12, 2006. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  14. ^ "G4 Not Getting Axed". Voodoo Extreme. October 16, 2006. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  15. ^ Earth 911
  16. ^ Wilson, Mark (April 22, 2007). "Earth Day Roundup: Not Lame, We Promise". Gizmodo. Retrieved October 18, 2009.
  17. ^ G4's "Open Source", March 2, 2009
  18. ^ G4's "X-Play", "Attack of the Show" Cut Back, Variety, February 17, 2009
  19. ^ Open Source - May 2009
  20. ^ Welcome To An All-New, All-Different Version Of G4tv.com's TheFeed! TheFeed Posted July 9, 2009 - By Raymond Padilla
  21. ^ TheFeed Nightcap, July 31st -- The Pilot Episode! TheFeed Posted July 31, 2009 - By Andrew Pfister
  22. ^ August 28, 2009 (2009-08-28). "G4 Video - ''G4tv.com's Feedback''". G4tv.com. Retrieved 2013-05-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ Posted July 24, 2010 - By Mike D'Alonzo (2010-07-24). "Four Marvel Animated Series Coming To G4 In 2011". G4tv.com. Retrieved 2013-05-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ G4 Channel to Become 4G in a Week of Sprint Promotion, The New York Times
  25. ^ DirecTV Pulls G4 from Lineup - Move Comes After Failed Carriage Negotiations with Comcast, Variety, October 31, 2010
  26. ^ DirecTV drops G4 Entertainment Weekly November 1, 2010
  27. ^ DirecTV Drops Comcast's G4 The Hollywood Reporter November 1, 2010
  28. ^ "DirecTV G4 statement". Support.directv.com. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
  29. ^ "Reports: UFC, NBCUniversal discuss G4". ESPN. June 9, 2011.
  30. ^ "G4 to be re-branded after NBCU turns down WWE & UFC take-over bids". Pro Wrestling Torch. February 11, 2013.
  31. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 5, 2012). "G4 President Neal Tiles Steps Down". Deadline. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  32. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 5, 2012). "Former NBC Marketing Chief Adam Stotsky Named General Manager Of G4". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  33. ^ Schneider, Michael (October 26, 2012). "Exclusive: G4 to End Attack of the Show and X-Play". TV Guide Magazine. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  34. ^ Rose, Lacey (December 7, 2012). "NBCUniversal, Hearst Corp. Close Deal to Rebrand G4 as Esquire Channel". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  35. ^ a b G4 Staff (February 11, 2013). "G4 To Be Rebranded As The Esquire Network On April 22nd". G4TV.com. Retrieved February 12, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (April 15, 2013). "Esquire Network's Launch Pushed To Summer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  37. ^ Bibel, Sara (May 29, 2013). "Esquire Network to Debut September 23; Primetime Kicks Off With Special Celebrating Esquire Magazine's 80th Anniversary". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  38. ^ "Facebook answer to question about removal of G4 from systems". Time Warner Cable. Facebook. 23 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  39. ^ Young, Jennifer (September 10, 2013). "Re: Programming Change" (PDF). Cablevision letter to Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  40. ^ "Channel Lineup Changes - Charter Communications". Charter Communications. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  41. ^ "Facebook answer to customer's post about removal of G4 from systems". Facebook. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  42. ^ http://ww2.cox.com/residential/arizona/support/tv/article.cox?articleId=241f0100-e8c1-11e2-5f64-000000000000
  43. ^ "Confirmed: Comcast Ceasing G4 Distribution In January". G4 Rewind. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  44. ^ "Upcoming Contract Renewals". Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  45. ^ "Cable: NBCUniversal". NBCUniversal. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
  46. ^ Schneider, Michael (December 12, 2013). "The End is Near (More or Less) for Zombie Channels Like SoapNet and G4". TV Guide. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  47. ^ "AT&T U-verse HD Channels". Hd-report.com. 2013-04-18. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
  48. ^ "G4TV.com". G4TV.com. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  49. ^ "Free Online Games at G4TV". G4Now. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  50. ^ "Captain America Winter Soldier". G4TV.com. May 31, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  51. ^ "A Sandwich for the Weekend". G4TV.com. August 9, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  52. ^ "Robot Combat League on SyFy - Are You Watching This TV Show? It's About Fighting Robots!". G4TV.com. March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
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